Drivers having T-coil structures

ABSTRACT

A driver includes a first driver stage having a first T-coil structure. The first T-coil structure includes a first set of inductors each being operable to provide a first inductance. The first T-coil structure further includes a second set of inductors electrically coupled with the first set of inductors, wherein the second set of inductors each are operable to provide a second inductance.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/278,742, filed Oct. 21, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,896,352, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of semiconductor integrated circuits, and more particularly to drivers having a T-coil structure.

BACKGROUND

An optical link is a link that is communicated through an optical fiber. With advances in the communication technology, the bandwidth of an optical link has increased from several gigabytes per second (Gb/s) to tens of Gb/s. A transceiver on each end of the optical link is capable of transmitting and/or receiving the high bandwidth signals. In general, a driver is disposed at the transmission end, driving an optical source to achieve such high bandwidth signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an exemplary driver.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of another exemplary driver having at least one T-coil structure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic drawings showing simulation output results of an exemplary driver stage with different coupling coefficients (k).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A driver is made by 0.18-μm technology node. The driver has a T-coil on each output node of a driver stage for inductive peaking. The T-coil has two inductors both of which are electrically coupled to the output node. The inductors each provide an inductance of about 3 nanoheneries (nH) in response to parasitic capacitances seen by the output node of the driver stage.

In the course of integrated circuit (IC) evolution, the technology node moves to small geometry sizes. This scaling down process generally provides benefits by increasing production efficiency and lowering associated costs. In designing a laser/modulator driver with a technology node smaller than 40 nanometers (nm), Applicants found the parasitic capacitances between the driver stages decrease drastically. In response to the low parasitic capacitances, the inductor in the T-coil is designed with a small inductance, e.g., about 0.1 nH. Applicants also found the inductors, each of which generates the about 0.1 nH inductance, may not provide a coupling coefficient (k) of about 0.5 that is designed to increase the bandwidth of the driver.

It is understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples.

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an exemplary driver. In FIG. 1, a driver 100 includes at least one driver stage, e.g., driver stages 110 and 120. The driver stages 110 and 120 are electrically coupled with each other. The driver stage 110 has at least one input node, e.g., input nodes N₁ and N₂, and at least one output node, e.g., output nodes N₃ and N₄. The driver stage 120 has at least one input node, e.g., input nodes N₅ and N₆, and at least one output node, e.g., output nodes N₇ and N₈. The output nodes N₃ and N₄ are electrically coupled with the input nodes N₅ and N₆, respectively.

In some embodiments, the driver 100 is a laser driver, a modulator driver or a driver of other types. The driver 100 is operable to receive an input signal V_(in) and then provide an output signal V_(out) to drive other circuitries, diodes, devices, etc. It is noted that the number of the driver stages shown in FIG. 1 is merely exemplary. In some embodiments, the driver 100 includes a single driver stage or more than two driver stages.

Referring to FIG. 1, capacitances of parasitic capacitors C₁ and C₂ exist between the driver stages 110 and 120. The capacitances of the parasitic capacitors C₁ and C₂ may affect the electrical operation of the driver 100 departing from its ideal condition. The capacitances of the parasitic capacitors C₁ and C₂ can, in some embodiments, be compensated to achieve a desired operation of the driver 100.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of another exemplary driver including at least one T-coil structure. In FIG. 2, the driver stage 100 includes transistors M₁ and M₂ whose gates are electrically coupled with the input nodes N₁ and N₂, respectively. Sources of the transistors M₁ and M₂ are electrically coupled with a current source. Drains of the transistors M₁ and M₂ are electrically coupled with T-coil structures 130 a and 130 b, respectively. Resistors R₁ and R₂ are electrically coupled between a power voltage level VDD1 and the respective T-coil structures 130 a and 130 b. In some embodiments, VDD1 is the same for R₁ and R₂. In other embodiments, VDD1 differs for R₁ and R₂.

In FIG. 2, the T-coil structures 130 a and 130 b are disposed adjacent to the output nodes N₃ and N₄, respectively. The T-coil structures 130 a and 130 b are operable to provide inductive peaking on the respective output nodes N₃ and N₄. In some embodiments, the T-coil structures 130 a and 130 b each include a plurality of sets of inductors, e.g., inductor sets 131 a, 133 a and 131 b, 133 b, respectively. The inductors set 131 a is electrically coupled with the inductor set 133 a in a parallel fashion. The inductor set 131 b is electrically coupled with the inductor set 133 b in a parallel fashion. In some embodiments, the inductor sets 131 a, 133 a, 131 b and 133 b include respective inductors L₁-L₂, L₃-L₄, L₅-L₆ and L₇-L₈.

In some embodiments, the output node N₃ is between the inductors L₁ and L₂ and between the inductors L₃ and L₄. In some embodiments, the output node N₄ is between the inductors L₅ and L₆ and between the inductors L₇ and L₈. In some embodiments, the inductor sets 131 a and 133 a are electrically coupled with a capacitor C₃ in a parallel fashion. In some embodiments, the inductor sets 131 b and 133 b are electrically coupled with a capacitor C₄ in a parallel fashion.

As the technology node shrinks to, for example, 40 nm or below, the capacitances of the parasitic capacitors C₁ and C₂ decrease drastically. Applicants found that the inductance from each T-coil structure should be designed around, e.g., 0.1 nH or less, in response to the low parasitic capacitances. Applicants found that the 0.1 nH T-coil structure having the single set of inductors may provide a coupling coefficient (k) of about 0.3 due to the narrow metal wires and/or less loops of routing of the inductors. As the conventional T-coil cannot provide the coupling coefficient of about 0.5, the bandwidth of the driver 100 is substantially reduced.

To maintain the coupling coefficient of about 0.5 for the driver designed with the 40-nm or below technology node, Applicants design the inductors L₁-L₈ to each have an inductance of about 0.2 nH or more. Each parallel pair of the inductors, e.g., inductors L₁ and L₃ are operable to provide an equivalent inductance of about 0.1 nH or less in response to the low capacitances of the parasitic capacitors C₁ and C₂. Inductors L₁-L₈ each have wide metal wires and/or more loops of routing sufficient to provide 0.2-nH inductance, therefore the inductors of each inductor set, e.g., L₁ and L₂, are operable to provide a coupling coefficient of about 0.5. In some embodiments, the coupling coefficient (k) ranges from about 0.45 to about 0.55. By using the T-coil structures 130 a and 130 b, the bandwidth of the driver 100 may reach 40 GHz or higher.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic drawings showing simulation output results of an exemplary driver stage with different coupling coefficients (k). In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the vertical axis represents the voltage levels of the output signal and the horizontal axis represents time in the order of picoseconds (ps). For FIG. 3A, the coupling coefficient is about 0.3. For FIG. 3B, the coupling coefficient is about 0.5. As shown in the drawings, the eye pattern shown in FIG. 3B is more clear than that shown in FIG. 3A.

It is noted that the number of inductor sets and inductors described above in conjunction with FIG. 2 are merely exemplary. In some embodiments, the T-coil structures 130 a and 130 b each include more than two inductor sets to further lower the equivalent inductance. By lowering the equivalent inductance, a single inductor of each set of the inductors has a higher inductance. It is also noted that the inductance, the equivalent inductance and/or the bandwidth are merely exemplary. The inductance, the equivalent inductance and/or the bandwidth may be changed in response to the design of the driver.

In some embodiments, the driver stage 110 optionally includes inductors L₉ and L₁₀ that are electrically coupled between the transistors M₁ and M₂ and the T-coil structures 130 a and 130 b, respectively. The inductors L₉ and L₁₀ are operable to provide inductive peaking to the output nodes N₃ and N₄ and/or a shielding effect to the output nodes N₃ and N₄, respectively.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the driver stage 120 includes the input nodes N₅-N₆ and the output nodes N₇-N₈. The output nodes N₇ and Ng are electrically coupled with respective resistors R₃ and R₄, inductors L₁₁ and L₁₂ and capacitors C₅ and C₆. The capacitors C₅ and C₆ are electrically coupled with output loadings R_(PCB) and/or R_(LASER). In some embodiments, the output loading R_(PCB) represents an equivalent resistance of a printed circuit board. The output loading L_(LASER) represents an equivalent resistance of a laser diode. It is noted that the output loads shown in FIG. 2 are merely exemplary. In some embodiments, additional and/or different output loadings are electrically coupled with the output nodes N₇ and Ng of the driver stage 120.

In some embodiments, the driver stage 120 includes transistors M₃ and M₄ whose gates are electrically coupled with the input nodes N₅ and N₆, respectively. Sources of the transistors M₃ and M₄ are electrically coupled with a current source. Drains of the transistors M₃ and M₄ each are electrically coupled with at least one transistor, for example, transistors M₅-M₆ and M₇-M₈, respectively.

In some embodiments, the transistors M₅-M₆ and M₇-M₈ are disposed between the output node N₇ and the transistor M₃ and between the output node Ng and the transistor M₄, respectively. Gates of the transistors M₅-M₆ and M₇-M₈ are configured to receive a voltage level VDD2 or VDD3 for controlling on/off of the transistors M₅-M₈. In some embodiments, the voltage level VDD2 is the same as or different from the voltage level VDD3. In some embodiments, VDD2 is the same at R₃ and R₄. In some embodiments, VDD2 differs at R₃ and R₄. In some embodiments VDD3 is the same at M₆ and M₈. In some embodiments VDD3 differs at M₆ and M₈.

In some embodiments, the transistors M₃-M₈ are core devices. The term “core device” means that channel length of the transistor is designed with the minimum rule of the technology node. For example, if the technology node is 28 nm, the core device has a channel length of about 28 nm. Due to the small geometry of the core device, gate dielectric layers of the transistors M₃ and M₄ become thinner and are vulnerable to a high voltage differential applied thereon.

To protect the gate dielectric layer of the transistor M₃ from being damaged, the transistors M₅-M₆ are designed between the output node N₇ and the gate of the transistor M₃ to reduce a potential stress resulting from a voltage differential between node N₇ and gate of transistor M₃. For example, the output node N₇ may see a voltage variation of about 2V±1V and the gate of the transistor M₃ may see a voltage ranging from about 0.45V to about 0.85V. In a worst case scenario, the predicted voltage differential between the output node N₇ and the gate of the transistor M₃ reaches 2.55V. If the transistors M₅-M₆, each of which is operable to sustain a voltage drop of about 0.8V, were not used, the 2.55V voltage differential would damage the gate dielectric of the transistor M₃.

It is noted that the numbers of the transistors M₅-M₆ and M₇-M₈ are merely exemplary. The scope of this application is not limited thereto. For example, the numbers of the transistors M₅-M₆ and M₇-M₈ may be increased or decreased in response to the change of the technology node and/or voltage levels applied to the transistors. It is also noted that the voltage levels described above are merely exemplary. The voltage levels may be varied in response to, for example, the change of the technology node.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the driver 100 optionally includes a negative impedance converter 140 that is disposed between the driver stages 110 and 120. The negative impedance converter 140 is configured to provide a negative impedance to compensate the capacitances of the parasitic capacitors C₁ and C₂ that exist between the driver stages 110 and 120. In some embodiments when the capacitances of the parasitic capacitor C₁ and C₂ become small or tolerable, the negative impedance converter 140 is absent from drive 100.

In an exemplary embodiment of this application, a driver includes a first driver stage having at least one input node and at least one first output node. The first driver stage includes a T-coil structure that is disposed adjacent to the at least one first output node. The T-coil structure includes a first set of inductors each being operable to provide a first inductance. A second set of inductors are electrically coupled with the first set of inductors in a parallel fashion. The second set of inductors each are operable to provide a second inductance. A second driver stage is electrically coupled with the first driver stage.

One aspect of this description relates to a driver. The driver includes a first driver stage having a first T-coil structure. The first T-coil structure includes a first set of inductors each being operable to provide a first inductance. The first T-coil structure further includes a second set of inductors electrically coupled with the first set of inductors, wherein the second set of inductors each are operable to provide a second inductance.

Another aspect of this description relates to a driver. The driver includes a first driver stage having a first T-coil structure. The first T-coil structure includes a first set of inductors each being operable to provide an inductance of about 0.2 nanohenries (nH) or more and a coupling coefficient of about 0.5. The first T-coil structure includes a second set of inductors electrically coupled with the first set of inductors, wherein the second set of inductors each are operable to provide an inductance of about 0.2 nH or more.

Still another aspect of this description relates to a driver. The driver includes a first driver stage having T-coil structures. The T-coil structures each include a plurality of sets of inductors that are electrically coupled with each other, wherein each set of inductors of the plurality of sets of inductors is operable to provide a coupling coefficient of about 0.5.

The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A driver comprising: a first driver stage having a first T-coil structure, the first T-coil structure comprising: a first set of inductors each being operable to provide a first inductance; and a second set of inductors electrically coupled in parallel with the first set of inductors, wherein the second set of inductors each are operable to provide a second inductance.
 2. The driver of claim 1, further comprising a capacitor connected in parallel with the first set of inductors and in parallel with the second set of inductors.
 3. The driver of claim 1, further comprising a resistor, wherein a first end of the resistor is electrically connected to the first set of inductors and to the second set of inductors, and a second end of the resistor is configured to receive a power voltage.
 4. The driver of claim 1, further comprising a transistor, wherein a first terminal of the transistor is electrically connected to the first set of inductors and to the second set of inductors, and a second terminal of the transistor is connected to a current source.
 5. The driver of claim 4, further comprising an inductor between the transistor and both of the first set of inductors and the second set of inductors.
 6. The driver of claim 1, further comprising a second driver stage electrically connected to the first driver stage, wherein an input node of the second driver stage is connected to a node between a first inductor of the first set of inductors and a second inductor of the first set of inductors.
 7. The driver of claim 1, further comprising a second T-coil structure, the second T-coil structure comprising: a third set of inductors each being operable to provide a third inductance; and a fourth set of inductors electrically coupled with the third set of inductors, wherein the fourth set of inductors each are operable to provide a fourth inductance.
 8. The driver of claim 7, further comprising a second driver stage electrically connected to the first driver stage, wherein a first input node of the second driver stage is connected to a node between a first inductor of the first set of inductors and a second inductor of the first set of inductors, and a second input node of the second driver stage is connected to a node between a first inductor of the third set of inductors and a second inductor of the third set of inductors.
 9. The driver of claim 7, further comprising: a first resistor between a first power voltage and both of the first set of inductors and the second set of inductors; and a second resistor between a second power voltage and both of the third set of inductors and the fourth set of inductors.
 10. The driver of claim 9, wherein the first power voltage is different from the second power voltage.
 11. A driver comprising: a first driver stage having a first T-coil structure, wherein the first T-coil structure comprises: a first set of inductors each being operable to provide an inductance of about 0.2 nanohenries (nH) or more and a coupling coefficient of about 0.5; and a second set of inductors electrically coupled in parallel with the first set of inductors, wherein the second set of inductors each are operable to provide an inductance of about 0.2 nH or more.
 12. The driver of claim 11, wherein a first node between a first inductor of the first set of inductors and a second inductor of the first set of inductors is electrically connected to a second node between a first inductor of the second set of inductors and a second inductor of the second set of inductors.
 13. The driver of claim 12, further comprising a second driver stage electrically connected to the first driver stage, wherein an input node of the second driver stage is electrically connected to the first node.
 14. The driver of claim 13, wherein the second driver stage comprises a plurality of transistors connected in series between a first power voltage and a current source.
 15. The driver of claim 14, wherein a gate of a first transistor of the plurality of transistors is electrically connected to the input node, a gate of a second transistor of the plurality of transistors is configured to receive the first power voltage, and a gate of a third transistor of the plurality of transistors is configured to receive a second power voltage.
 16. The driver of claim 15, wherein the first power voltage is different from the second power voltage.
 17. A driver comprising: a first driver stage having T-coil structures, the T-coil structures each comprising: a plurality of sets of inductors that are electrically coupled with each other, wherein each set of inductors of the plurality of sets of inductors is operable to provide a coupling coefficient of about 0.5, and a first inductor of a first set of inductors of the plurality of sets of inductors is coupled in parallel with a second inductor of a second set of inductors of the plurality of sets of inductors.
 18. The driver of claim 17, wherein the first driver stage further comprises a plurality of transistors, wherein each transistor of the plurality of transistors is electrically connected to a corresponding T-coil structure of the T-coil structures.
 19. The driver of claim 18, wherein the first driver stage further comprises a plurality of inductors, wherein each inductor of the plurality of inductors is connected between a transistor of the plurality of transistors and a corresponding T-coil structure of the T-coil structures.
 20. The driver of claim 17, wherein the T-coil structures each further comprise a capacitor electrically connected to the plurality of sets of inductors. 